Briefs

Thailand’s and Malaysia's central banks have agreed to a reciprocal arrangement aimed at boosting liquidity facilities to financial institutions in both countries, the Bank of Thailand said in a statement yesterday.
Eligible financial institutions operating in Malaysia may obtain ringgit liquidity from Bank Negara Malaysia by pledging baht, or Thai government and BOT bonds. A similar arrangement is agreed upon for financial institutions operating in Thailand.
“This initiative will further strengthen cross-border liquidity management in our financial systems and reinforce our financial and economic ties,” said Zeti Akhtar Aziz, governor of the Malaysian central bank.
BOT Governor Prasarn Trairatvorakul said: “It also marks the recognition of the importance of cross-border banking operations and the facilitating role of both central banks. This is yet another important step as part of our plan towards further regional and global financial integration.”

SCB debentures
Siam Commercial Bank will launch 10-year subordinated debentures this month worth Bt20 billion, offering a coupon rate of 4.5 per cent per annum payable every three months. The investment requires a minimum subscription amount of Bt100,000, Kannikar Chalitaporn, president of the bank, said yesterday.
This debt issuance will be open for subscription by general investors from February 17-23 through SCB branches nationwide.
SCB has a market capitalisation of Bt396 billion, the highest in the commercial banking sector.

Ananda to list
After having to postpone its plans last year, Ananda Development believes that the company will be listed on the Stock Exchange of Thailand in the first half of this year, president and CEO Chanond Ruangkritya said yesterday.
The company is launching four new condominium projects worth Bt10 billion, with units starting at Bt1.9 million. The launch of the four projects, which will total 2,475 units, officially kicked off yesterday at the Hall of Fame, M Floor, Siam Paragon, and will continue until Sunday. – The Nation